Act 4 Scene 3 "The Village School" from Sugawara's Secrets of Calligraphy

In this scene Matsuomaru must "identify" the head of Michizane's son Kan Shusai. In actuality, he has substituted his own son, Kotaro. Sacrificing his own son for Michizane's allows Matsuomaro to resolve his conflicting loyaties to Michizane (his father's master) and Shihei (his own master).

The "child substitution" and "head identification scene" are staples of Kabuki plots, allowing for virtuoso acting. At this moment, when the head is still in the box, Matsuomaro does not yet know whether his plan has succeeded or not. He must simultaneously convey anxiety that the plan may not have worked, and dread that it was successful.